One of the best commercials ever to explain the rich heritage of the Roman Catholic Church. From our establishment of the college system to our invention of the scientific method. From the fact that we are the largest social service network on the planet to our unbroken heritage of apostolic sucession. In 2 min you get an idea of the fullness of the Church that Christ Himself established. Enjoy!

Like many of us, every morning I open up the newspaper. As a kid I always turned first to the Funnies. As a teen I frequently looked at the Sports page first. As a young adult I was most interested in the general news. As someone entering Middle-Age, I find myself increasingly turning immediately to the Obituaries. Often I find a name I recognize. One day I suppose we will be like this poor Turkey. Look what he did when he found his own name among the lists of the dead!

Thanksgiving is a time for families and friends to gather together and express gratitude for all that we have been given, the freedoms we enjoy, and the loved ones who enrich our lives. We recognize that all of these blessings, and life itself, come not from the hand of man but from Almighty God.

Every Thanksgiving, we remember the story of the Pilgrims who came to America in search of religious freedom and a better life. Having arrived in the New World, these early settlers gave thanks to the Author of Life for granting them safe passage to this abundant land and protecting them through a bitter winter. Our Nation’s first President, George Washington, stated in the first Thanksgiving proclamation that “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” While in the midst of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln revived the tradition of proclaiming a day of thanksgiving, asking God to heal our wounds and restore our country.

Today, as we look back on the beginnings of our democracy, Americans recall that we live in a land of many blessings where every person has the right to live, work, and worship in freedom. Our Nation is especially thankful for the brave men and women of our Armed Forces who protect these rights while setting aside their own comfort and safety. Their courage keeps us free, their sacrifice makes us grateful, and their character makes us proud. Especially during the holidays, our whole country keeps them and their families in our thoughts and prayers.

Americans are also mindful of the need to share our gifts with others, and our Nation is moved to compassionate action. We pay tribute to all caring citizens who reach out a helping hand and serve a cause larger than themselves.

On this day, let us all give thanks to God who blessed our Nation’s first days and who blesses us today. May He continue to guide and watch over our families and our country always.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim November 27, 2008, as a National Day of Thanksgiving. I encourage all Americans to gather together in their homes and places of worship with family, friends, and loved ones to strengthen the ties that bind us and give thanks for the freedoms and many blessings we enjoy.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-first day of November, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

A worried woman went to her gynecologist and said: “Doctor, I have a serious problem and desperately need your help! My baby is not even 1 yr. old and I’m pregnant again. I don’t want kids so close together.”

So the doctor said, “OK. What do you want me to do?”

She said, “I want you to end my pregnancy, and I’m counting on your help with this.”

The doctor thought for a little, and after some silence he said to the lady: “I think I have a better solution for your problem. It’s less dangerous for you too.”

She smiled, thinking that the doctor was going to accept her request. Then he continued: “You see, in order for you not to have to take care of two babies at the same time, let’s kill the one in your arms. This way, you could rest some before the other one is born. If we’re going to kill one of them, it doesn’t matter which one it is. There would be no risk for your body if you chose the one in your arms.”

The lady was horrified and said: “No, doctor! How terrible! It’s a crime to kill a child!”

“I agree,” the doctor replied, “but you seemed to be OK with it, so I thought maybe that was the best solution.”

The doctor smiled, realizing that he had made his point. He convinced the mom that there is no difference in killing a child that’s already been born and one that’s still in the womb. The crime is the same.

Okay, I did it, I broke down today and bought my first cell phone. I hope I do not regret it. As I have gotten older, I have become increasing worried about what might happen if the car breaks down or if there is an emergency. Really, I hate phones, and have put it off for as long as I could.

One place I will not take the cell phone is the church. Every weekend, the cell phones go off at Mass. I warn people, even threaten $50 fines, but to no avail. People are texting and talking on phones at movies,too… a terrible distraction.

There is a law in DC now that anyone holding a phone to his or her ear while driving with face a hefty fine and ticket. People are dying because they area addicted to their phones.

The kids are nuts. Recently two girls I know were both texting messages to each other, even though they were in the same room! Could they not have just as easily talked to each other? Sure!

St Blog's Parish Ring

U.S. Coast Guard

ALMIGHTY GOD

"Father Joe's Blog is great fun to read, too bad I will have to strike him dead with lightning some day!"

THE POPE

"Right after evening prayer, I regularly read his Blog and note corrections for my upcoming encyclicals."

PRESIDENT BUSH

"Before I have my security council meeting each morning, I check to see what's new at Fr. Joe's Blog."

SADDAM HUSSEIN

"This infidel priest is not funny and is ill-informed!"

PRIESTESS (SR.) M T KANE

"He is a right-wing bigot who is anti-choice and anti-woman. The goddess is not happy with his Blog!"

HIS MOTHER

"He is the poorest priest I know, always pontificating about things he knows nothing about; he is a disgrace!"

ALIEN COMMANDER

"The invasion is going as planned and soon all the clergy will be pod-people from outer space, starting with Father Joe."

WITCHDOCTOR ZULU

"Never have I met someone who was so opposed to true ecumenism and religious freedom. I would like to sacrifice him in my dinner pot and wear his head as an ornament. Voices like his need to be silenced! We should all pray and sup together."

ADOLF HITLER CLONE

"This priest is wrong in his opposition to giving holy communion to anti-life politicians and other proponents of choice. He is not in sync with the majority of American bishops! How is that orthodox? Does he want an altercation at the altar? Now, where are my gas chambers and firing squads?"